with former morning show host Lui Villaruz. On the other hand, Iya Villania seems to be enjoying the fact that the media has chosen to leave her alone for the moment as she hopped from table to table at the press conference for Studio 23, which announced its new line-up of shows recently.

“There’s nothing to talk about, that’s why,” laughed Iya. “I’m not getting married, and my romance [with boyfriend Drew Arellano] is not new. Maybe that’s why they’re not that interested.”

Iya’s show, Us Girls, is one of the shows that survived a recent mass cancellation/reformatting at Studio 23. Several shows, like the male lifestyle show It’s A Guy Thing, hosted by Borgy Manotoc, was cancelled, while Wazzup Wazzup is in the process of being reformatted and turned into a once-a-week show from its current daily schedule. Studio 23, a subsidiary of broadcast giant ABS-CBN, will be launching other new programs soon.

People may think there’s not much that is print-worthy about her life and career at the moment, but truth to tell, Iya is the busiest of the three Us Girls hosts. Aside from Us Girls, Iya is also a MYX VJ and a co-host on two other ABS-CBN programs, ASAP and the celebrity dance show U Can Dance, where she shares stellar billing with Derek Ramsay. Iya will also be in the cast of Lastikman, starring boyfriend Drew’s good friend Vhong Navarro. The show is set to premiere in September.

In addition to her showbiz career, Iya is busy with school. Currently a senior AB Psychology student at De La Salle University, Iya has made the Dean’s List for the last two terms, a feat difficult enough to accomplish if she were a regular student. The fact that she’s a student with a full-time showbiz career makes it just that much more impressive. “It’s really all a matter of prioritising,” says Iya, who shares that while making the Dean’s List is an achievement, she still has another goal: to make it to the First Honours list.

We chat momentarily about school. Iya is fascinated by the study of human behaviour. She also enjoys her major subjects, like Clinical, Abnormal and Social Psychology. Iya is also enrolled at ACSAT (which she endorses), where she plans to pursue studies in Culinary Arts.

Does wanting to learn cooking mean that she is now thinking of settling down? Does Iya see herself following soon in the footsteps of Chesca, and marrying Drew anytime soon?

Iya ruled out marriage plans. Right now, school and her showbiz career are top priorities. So where does Drew fit into all this? How does Iya make time in her busy schedule for romance?

“Still time management. There’s no other secret,” says the pretty and articulate TV host. “And of course, if you love the person, you will try your best [to make time for each other]. Right now, I’m not sure if Drew and I will be together forever, and whether what we have now will lead to marriage, but definitely, it’s worth a shot.”

Iya stresses that she’s in no rush to get married or to take her relationship with Drew to the next level. She has so much going on in her life, and is fortunate that Drew understands her priorities and is in sync with her plans and goals. “He’s very supportive,” says Iya. “He has never pressured me to do this or that. I’m the same way with him. Whatever he wants to do, I’m also very supportive. That’s what’s so great about our relationship.”

Drew didn’t even raise a howl of protest when he learned that Iya would be locking lips with his good friend Vhong Navarro in her scenes in Lastikman. “No, it didn’t bother him,” says Iya. “He didn’t even go to the set to watch. He’s not jealous that way. I guess that’s why we get along so well.”

So what does the future hold for Iya? She plans to continue her schooling and get a Master’s degree. “It depends on where my showbiz career takes me,” she says. “But definitely, my studies will continue.”